Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-06
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THR
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, December 9 1897.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, December ., 1887.
To the Speaker or the House Of Representatives.:
SIR In compliance with the clause In the act of
Congress making appropriations to provide for the
expenses of the government Of the District of Co
lumba for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883 u.
s. Stats vol "a, p. sd, which requires the several
institutions included under the heads of asylums,
reformatories, industrial schools and charities
named in that act to report to the Commissioners
OF the District before the 1St day Of December
1887 fun and detailed account OF receipts and ex-
penditures and all their operations, and that the
Commissioners shall, transmit the said reports to
Congress, the Commissioners have notified said in
situations to make the reports required and they
herewith forward the same In the manner and form
as received
With respect to the requirement that the Com
missoners shall report what legislation is neces-
sary to prOyiie the District with proper institu-
tons OF this chara they submit that in view of
the limited facilities that have been available for
the procurement OF Information their suggestions
on the subject must necessarily be general In char
acter As the requirement refers to all Institutions
covered by the terms asylums, reformatories, in
duStrial schools and charities 1t will be seen that
all the institutions needed for the care of the poor
the charge and reform OF offenders against the laws
and ordinances OF every kind In force In the DStrtc
and the proper industri i training OF the INDECENT
of the enactment could not well be broader. 1t
takes In all kinds OF relief as well as all kinds Of
discipline, and requires not only thorough knOwls
edge OF the public needs, but also exact ascertain
ment OF the methods and scope of the numerous
public and private establishments Different insti-
tutOnS in some cases, seem TO be doing like class
of work, and it is desirable to know whether 1t
would be advantageous to consolidate or modify
the administration OF those agencies, and to what
extent
The Commissioners are not prepared to discuss
In detail the systems OF management now pursued
In these institutions. In order TO do so with JUS
tlce 10 would be necessary to give them an amount
OF observation and study utterly impracticabe
with the limited time and opportunity at their
ana ras Tb as 1ney any very
out available means OF providing for the employ
ment OF an agent to make such full and complete
Investigation as the subject demands, and are,
therefore, obliged TO be content for the present
with the reports with which they have been fur
niShed.
AS far as practicable they have visited personally
these institutions and have caused them to be
visited by subordinate District Official during
casional opportunities offered by attachments in
the requirements OF regular duties Still, they are
satisfied that comprehensive idea Of the value Of
and necessity for these institutions can only be
ton as could be given TO their workings by an In
telligent municipal supervisor, specially charged
with that sole duty, and having the right OF neces-
sary access TO premises and records. They submit
a draft OF a bill for the appointment OF such an
offcer, and prescribing his duties
The institutions existing in the community, and
especially referred TO In the act aforesaid TO
accomplish, to the extent OF their capacity, very
valuable work In manner generally acceptable. In
the opinion OF the Commissioners no substantial
prejudice would result TO any interest involved II
the present status were permitted temporarily to
continue, with the prospect OF such future legsla
ton concerning these Institutions and their rea-
tons TO some general system as may be found ad-
visable upon information received through q
system OF Inspection as that herenbefore proposed
1.-THE following are synopses Of the material parts
OF the reports which have been made to them pur-
suant to aforesaid request.
WASHINGTON ASYLUM
This Is municipal institution, and comprises
the amshouSe and the warehouses OF the District.
The almshouse affords the facilities which are
common to such Institutions for accommodation
and care OF paupers, and the workhouse is for the
confinement and utilization OF the labor Of those
subject Imprisonment for attractions OF munich
pal ordinances In force In the ID strict.
A hospital is also connected with the institution
and is wel-arranged and equipped for the care and
treatment OF patients.
The appropriations for the support OF this fnsti-
tuition for the fiscal year ended June 30 1887 were
SuppOit....
dummy engine. Observation-Disclosures. 1000 OC
53,SS5 90
The expenditures were:
SdlarleS .--.-...-.......$ l2.IS I'll
SuppOIt }S,OSO rs
- 51,34S 80